Doin' Laps

As pastor of the Bridge in Kennewick, WA I have regularly challenged my people to go after freedom of expression in worship. And we are getting there. Yesterday morning one of our younger men, Tyler, was exhibiting extreme depths of freedom. As worship began he and a few others started to dance, now, this is fairly common. However Tyler was off in the corner doing hand stands, about 4 of them, if my count is correct. He went from hand stands to sprints, sprinting back and forth across the front of the church, he also did this about 4 times. Then he begins to jog and then run, doing laps around the congregations. After about 8 solo trips, others began to join in, first the youngest of the young children, then a few teens, then some adults. The line of runners grew to 12 or more people and the congregation began to applaud. Nearly everyone watching realized that they were watching a prophetic picture, for Tyler and for our church.

Both in Tyler’s life and in our church, things have been turned upside down, we’ve both experienced sprints and stops and for a season we have run alone. As I’ve told Tyler, if he leads others will follow. Though he may run alone at first, if he doesn’t give up, many others will follow both young and old.

Hebrews 12:1-3 comes to mind…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Run Tyler, Run!

Copyright © Tom Zawacki 2006